For the second week in a row the Butchers had victories in all three grades placing them in a prime position to challenge for the 2014 Club Championship with 2 competition rounds remaining.
Yesterday saw a small crowd brave the icy conditions against a very unpredictable Dapto First Grade side who have troubled Thirroul in each round this season.
Dapto started off with more enthusiasm and dominated the ruck early which saw them race out to a 4 nil lead through some uncharacteristic defensive lapses by the Butchers.
Thirroul responded with some slick passing leading to tries to Brent Grose and two tries to Reece Jaeger, who takes his season points scoring tally to over 100 points.
Thirroul scored the set after the kick off to the second half through Damian Blanche , Pat Franks scored from close range and a Sam Coster try came from a towering Mitch Wynn bomb. Dapto never gave up the fight and Thirroul were guilty of not putting solid sets together after after scoring points.
Thirroul showed in patches they will be one of the teams to beat to take out this years title but took their foot off the gas and kept Dapto in the game, Dapto scoring two late tries to reduce the lead to 32- 24 before Thirroul scored a late try to Jay Gallagher to seal the win.
Thirrouls best were Brent Grose who scored a slick try and had a hand in several others throwing quality passes to his outside men, Sam Coster was outstanding with a huge defensive effort and some smart work out of hooker while Nathan Fien again showed his expertise with some deft passing, a booming 40-20 and some aggressive defence.
Most pleasing for the coach though would have been the form of both wingers, Mitch Bate and Mitchell Cox. Cox on debut didnt put a foot wrong and was very involved while Bate made his return to first grade after early season injury and was non stop, charging the ball forward when required.
The Reserve grade side continued their run with a hard fought 22-12 over Berkeley on Friday night at Berkeley. The reggies should play for first spot in the final round hwne they face Wests and with players returning from injury and rep duties, the boys are a big chance of a first spot finish. In freezing conditions at Berkeley, Luke Gallagher was outstanding with Cam Nicholson and Jarrad Whitty also standing out.
Under 19’s overcame the loss of Captain and competiton points score leader Jake Seargant Wilson to overcome Dapto in a gripping 36 -24 win with Jack Eager scoring an excellent try on the bell. The boys started the season slowly but are now not far form cementing a spot in the semi finals and will be a tough side to beat. Jarrad Whitty backed up from friday night with an outstanding display while Michael Flegate and Max Bailey had solid games.
No games next week, the following week the boys will take on the Cougars at Ziems park on Saturday.
Shannon Jarvis 20/7/2014
